Alex Caruso making early case for Sixth Man of the Year
Sixth Man of the Year usually goes to a big scorer. Alex Caruso might win it with defense.
Caruso had a huge game off the bench for the Chicago Bulls Friday night, saving the game for his team at the end of regulation and overtime.
With the Bulls trailing by three late, Caruso forced a turnover, dove on the floor for a loose ball and found DeMar DeRozan for a layup. When DeRozan missed the subsequent free throw, Caruso snuck in and batted the offensive rebound to DeRozan. Then with Chicago down one with 3.1 seconds left, Caruso drew an offensive foul on Pascal Siakam.
If it weren't for three missed free throws by DeRozan in the final 12.1 seconds, Chicago would have won in regulation. Instead, they needed Caruso's heroics again in overtime.
After the Bulls came back from 17 points down with under five minutes in the fourth quarter - DeRozan had 18 points in that stretch - they again trailed in the final seconds. But Caruso blocked Siakam with eight seconds left, then hustled down the court to drill a game-winning three-pointer. Chicago held on for a 104-103 win and Bulls broadcaster Stacey King announced the Caruso deserved a free meal for his efforts.
Caruso finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. In 32 minutes, he was +29. The six offensive rebounds in a double-double were the most for a Bulls guard since another All-Defensive player with a shaved head: Michael Jordan.
Caruso saved Chicago from falling to 0-2. But if the Bulls continue to struggle, Caruso - signed from under $10 million this year and next - could be one of the most sought-after pieces on the trade market. He could win the Sixth Man of the Year trophy in Chicago, or he could be the piece that gets another team the Larry O'Brien trophy.
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